Long before degrees were awarded and festive balloons dropped, Mechanics Bank Arena was filled with a palpable energy ahead of the California State University, Bakersfield fall 2021 graduation ceremony. As students trickled in and found their seats, they anxiously awaited the start of commencement and their turn to cross the stage. But first, they were taking the time to fully appreciate this moment.
“Honestly, it feels surreal, especially with everything with the pandemic,” said Natalie Rivas, a human biology major. “I’m so glad to have a live graduation ceremony. I’m so excited. It doesn’t feel real.”
More than 700 students were in attendance for the ceremony Thursday night, the first commencement back at the arena since 2019. Rivas was one of many students from CSUB’s School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering, a group that took up several rows on the arena’s floor.
“As I look out on this arena, I see a shimmering wave of CSUB blue and gold,” CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny said, addressing the crowd of graduates and their families. “I feel a surge of energy and joy.”
Though an in-person graduation ceremony signals a near return to normal, Dr. Zelezny acknowledged the unique hardships her students have faced in the last two years: a pandemic, remote learning and, for some, the loss of loved ones.
“We come together this evening to celebrate the life-affirming power of hope, for it is hope that has brought you to this milestone,” she said, noting the unprecedented circumstances that students have overcome. “But through challenge, there is triumph. From fire, steel is forged. At CSUB, we take great pride in our undaunted spirit and our desire to rise to meet any opportunity.”
For Rivas, 23, COVID and remote learning were a big learning curve.
“At times, I wanted to give up,” she said. “It was really difficult, but I’m glad I stuck with it.”
During those harder moments, Rivas drew strength and motivation from her family. She’s the first to graduate college and knew what her achievement would mean for herself and for them.
“Everybody is very excited and very proud,” she said. “It’s a very emotional experience for us.”
Austin Villa, a biology major, was among the first to take their seats in the designated NSME rows. With about an hour before the ceremony was to start, he had plenty of time to reflect on everything that brought him there. At 31, he said he’s taken his education “slow and steady” but was thrilled his time to walk the stage had finally come. Cheering him on from the audience were his parents, grandparents and wife.
“They’ve been telling me how proud they are,” he said. “This whole last semester, they kept saying, ‘Just one more semester!’ They’re happy for me.”
Despite difficulties with online classes, Villa said he persevered and still managed to earn good grades. With so much going remote over the last couple years, he felt lucky that the ceremony was held in person.
“I graduated from Bakersfield College five years ago; the ceremony was in person, and it was so fun,” he recalled. “I’m glad we get to be here.”
At the end of the night, after every graduate had their moment to triumphantly walk across the stage and accept their diploma, the energy that had been buzzing throughout the night reached its crescendo, with a shower of balloons, jubilant music and more than a few hugs and tears.
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